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Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, said the offence carried a starting point of a life sentence with a minimum of 15 years in prison.

However, he said an aggravating feature would be the post-death thefts of Mr Dickinson’s property.

McCool appeared in the dock alongside Martin Wood, 34, of King Street, Egremont, who was charged with assisting an offender.

Wood pleaded not guilty to helping McCool evade capture by police.

Mr Power said this charge would be dropped given McCool’s plea and discussions with Crown Prosecution Service lawyers.

Police and forensic teams on Albemarle Road, Seacombe, after death of Jeremy Dickinson, 57.

He said: “In the round as first of all it was not the most serious allegation, secondly the evidence was not the strongest and thirdly there was no real impact on the investigation, in all these circumstances we would be prepared to lie that count on the file against him.”

Mr Unsworth said a psychiatric report on McCool would be provided to the court ahead of sentencing.

Judge Goldstone adjourned this until July 17 and remanded McCool in custody.